Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,218, John Dorvill, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn
Dorvill John
S. 32,218
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 25,893
John Devill
of Philadelphia Co in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Holt of the Key  Light  Infantry by Col Bayard in the Line of  Infantry -
5. No Sgt - $ 30.00 2 " " - 5 33 $ 35.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 30 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Jan y and sent to 1834 Jas Baxter , Philadelphia Pa
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 91. 65 Pension allowance ending 4th Mar '34 18. 33 110 98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by John J. Sprague Clerk Book 1 Vol. 5 Page 14
4

City of Philadelphia } State of Pennsylvania } ss.
On this 19 day of April Personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Philadelphia now sitting. John Dorville a Resident of the City of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania, aged Eighty one years. Who being first duly sworn according to Law, Doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. I entered the service in June 1776, a volunteer in the company of Capt. Adam Folk. Lieut. Henry Cameron, was appointed sergeant of said company. was under the commands, of Col. Andrew Bayard. Marched to Perth Amboy, through Trenton, Princeton, and Brunswick. did duty some time, when we were march'd to Elizabeth Town. here we were stationed untill our tour of duty ended. which was Two months. 2 nd Tour of duty was in the city, in the company commanded by Capt. Campbell. guarding the British and Tories, prisoners. this was Three months. I then entered a Volunteer, in the company of Capt. Pine. Lieut. John Mesmer. under command of Col. Will. we were ordered to Billingsport, here I did duty, and some my tour of Two months; out. returned home in boat to Philadelphia and was discharged. The 4 th tour was under command of Col. Will. a volunteer in Capt. Barker's company, Lieut. Willard & Epling. March'd to Trenton N. Jersey. was here some time; this was I believe in 1780. shortly before or about the time of The news of Peace; we then returned to Philadelphia, and served out the remainder of my tour. of Two months. owing to age and infirmities my memory will not mention to a certainty. therefore cannot remember positively. as to dates I knew Genl. Roberts and Genl. Mercer. Col. McKean afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania. Col. Will. Col. Bayard. Genl. Mifflin. Have no papers or discharge, all having been worn out and lost. I hereby Relinquish all claim to any pension; other than the one, under the act of June 7 th 1832. During the time in which the service was performed, I was not employed in any civil pursuit.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid In open Court. E. Rapal JP
John Dorville

We Tho: Cooper & Wm Headman of  are residing in the City of Philadelphia and residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Dorvill, the within applicant, who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration, that we believe him to be 80 years of age That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that Opinion. Sworn and subscribed, & the day & Year aforesaid.
Thos Cooper J. A. Raybold
Asst John G. Johnson
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the within named applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. and that the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Tho: Cooper & Wm Headman = that has signed the proceeding Certificate, is  are residents in the City of Philadelphia and that who who has also signed the same is a Resident of the same and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edward King W. S. Hetherland
I Richard Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of John Dorvill for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office, this 19 day of April 1833.
W. Palmer Rutty

City of Philadelphia } State of Pennsylvania } ss.
On this 19 th day of April 1833. Personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas - now sitting. Reuben Topham, a resident of Phila. who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath declare and say that he is well acquainted with John Dorvill, the within applicant. that he served as a soldier in the same tours of duty, in the same Companies and under the same officers. (except his third tour.) all of which time he was a warranted officer, a Sergeant, ready and willing at all times to do his duty, and to the satisfaction of his superiors in command.
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. A. Marshall
By the court.
Reuben Topham
 1 st Where and in what year were you Born? { Born in Phila a in the year 1752  2 nd Have you any Records of your age, and if so, where is it? { Have no Records of Birth  3 rd Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live. { Have lived in Phila a then and since the war, and live in the City at this time.  4 th How were you called into service, where you drafted or a volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? {   a volunteer  1 st Tour -    drafted  2 nd Tour -    a volunteer  3 rd Tour -    a volunteer  4 th Tour -     5 th Name some of the Gen l officers etc. {   Genl. Robert M c M c M c M c  Genl. M c M c M c M c  Genl. M c M c M c M c    Genl. M c M c M c M c  Genl. M c M c M c M c  Genl. M c M c M c M c     6 th Did you ever receive a Discharge, by whom was it given? { Was discharged, but do not remember by whom. Have no written discharge.}  7 th State the names of some persons to whom you are acquainted in your present neighbourhood - who can testify to your character as to veracity - and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution. {
      see those signing certificates. Cooper and Bradman * Reuben Topham - and * Chambers Gaud 
Do not know any clergyman on whom I could call, to testify in my behalf. * Chambers Gaud & Reuben Topham, privates in the same companies with me. (except one) Must rest my application, as it is out of my power to make any other proof.
John Dorvill

John Dorrill.
24793
City of Philad a } State of Pennsylvania } S
I do hereby certify, that in my four different Tours of duty performed as within stated; I was a Sergeant in three, and served under a verbal appointment; as was the case in the Militia service generally. — and that I never had a printed or written Warrant. and that I am not acquainted with any Clergyman on whom I can call to testify, or any other person except Mr. Gaus and Reuben Topham. witnesses The three tours in which I was, and acted as Sergeant, were, the second, third, and fourth.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 28 th day of Nov r 1833 }
William Milnor Ald t
John Dorrill

24. 793
John Dormile Penn o
Return
  Adm 1. Mo Serf.  - 30-00     " 2 " pr   6 11/16      36 11/16  
Joseph Butten Esq City of Philadelphia
State which of the 3 loans has acted as Serjeant.

Pension Office 3 Dec 1833.
Topham and Gam are not certified to be credible

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
20. Nov. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Dorrick
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776. 2 1 Capt. - Holt. 81 years Traditionary and   " 3 Col. Bayard Mituefes.   " 2 Capt. Campbell   1780 2 Col. Miles & H. H. Mituefes are not certified to be credible see note.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
State which of the 3 hours he acted as Serjeant.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this            day of            personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of            in the county of            and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)            , with            and served in the            (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I            of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of            &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the            and C. D. residing in (the same)            , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with            , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this            day of            &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before the required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

32 218
Rev INVALID.
Rev
File No. 32, 218
Worville *
John Hamill
His Res. dat
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 112
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* W. N. H. June 12, 1907.
Pa.

City of Philad a . — State of Penn y loania } fs. — Personally appeared before me William D. Vanbaun  Jacob Holahan — who being duly qualified according to Law; Do on their qualifications say, That they are well acquainted with Reuben Topham and Chambers Gaw, witnesses to the application of John Dorrance for a pension. That they are credible persons, and entitled to Credit. Mr. Chambers Gaw, is now and has been for some time past, Inspector of Customs, in this City. Sworn and subscribed to — before me this 31 st day of Decem r 1833 } John Dennis Ad.   W m D. Vanbaun "
City of Philad a fs. Jacob Holahan being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with the above named Reuben Topham & knows him to be respectable and well entitled to Credit. Sworn & Subscribed Dec r 31, 1833. Before John Dennis Ad.   Jacob Holahan 
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office.

We the Subscribers, Do Hereby Certify, That we are well acquainted with, Thomas Cooper and William Headman (Subscribing witnesses to the attach'd Application of John Dowell for a pension &c.) Know them to be sober, honest, Respectable Citizens of the City of Philadelphia. To whom full faith and credit may and ought to be given. To which we cheerfully subscribe. —
Sworn & Subscribed before me the 15 th day of Nov r 1833 {
William Milnor Ald man
Wm D. Vanburen
I John Dorvell, do hereby certify and declare, that I was an appointed Sergeant, under the different officers in three of the Tours of duty, performed, as set forth in my declaration, and faithfully served as such through each campaign. never had any Warrant. Was verbally appointed. as was, generally the case in the Militia.
Sworn & Subscribed before me the 15 th day of Nov r 1833 {
William Milnor Ald man
John Dorvell
contained in the above Certificate by him subscribed are true and true in every respect.
Chambers Gage
Sworn and Subscribed before me the 3 rd day of August AD 1833
Edward Hester Notary Public

Philadelphia June 18 1833
I hereby certify that I was acquainted with John Dowd and Reuben Topham during the Revolutionary war and that they both bore arms during that period that I was enrolled with them in the same company then commanded by the late General Barks in the Summer 1780 we were ordered to camp and marched from this City to New Jersey Dowd acting as Sergeant during the whole of the time we were absent and Topham as a private both returning to this City and receiving a regular discharge the ensuing autumn
Chambers Gane
City of Philadelphia fct
Chambers Gane being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that the statements contained in the above Certificate by him subscribed are just and true in every respect.
Chambers Gane
Sworn and Subscribed before me the 3 rd day of August AD 1833
Edward Shultz Notary Public